Adult Canine Schedule

First Visit

• Full physical examination & consultation
• Dental & behavioural assessment
• Diet consultation
• General Wellness bloodwork – screens for general health and any underlying conditions, providing a baseline for future reference.
• Heartworm and Tick borne disease screening blood test
• Vaccination – DHPP (distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo Virus)
• Vaccination – Rabies
• Vaccination – Leptospirosis, recommended if pet will be exposed, directly or indirectly to the urine of wildlife, livestock or of other dogs.
• Vaccination- Lyme disease vaccine is recommended for at risk dogs i.e. dogs who go for walks in areas where ticks can be found.
• Vaccination – Bordatella – required if pet is boarding or recommended if dog has access to other dogs with unknown vaccination histories,
• Flea protection – year round Sentinel tablets
• Heartworm preventative – year round Sentinel tablets cover for heartworm during the heartworm season of June 1st through November 1st
• Parasite prevention- year round Sentinel tablets
• Fecal analysis for parasites 
3-4 weeks later

• Vaccination – DHPP – booster if no previous vaccine history
• Vaccination – Leptosporosis, Lyme – booster if no previous vaccine history

Yearly

• Full physical examination & consultation
• General Wellness blood screening
• Heartworm and tick borne disease blood test
• Vaccination – DHPP
• Vaccination – Rabies every 3 years
• Vaccination - +/- Leptospirosis and Lyme
• Vaccination- +/- Bordatella
• Heartworm protection- year round Sentinel
• Flea protection – year round Sentinel
• Parasite protection- year round Sentinel
• Fecal analysis for parasites +/- deworming if not covered by Sentinel

Microchip

Microchip pet identification may be done at any time but is usually combined with your pet’s spay/neuter.

Heartworm

All dogs should be tested for Heartworm before mosquito season begins in May and be started on a preventative program. Since it is currently recommended that dogs be on a parasite preventative medication (Sentinel) all year round, they will be protected against heartworm during the heartworm season (approx June 1st through Nov 1st).  All dogs should have a blood test done BEFORE starting the medication except for dogs born after November 1^st of the previous year.  In other words, dogs less than six months of age in May of the current year do not require a blood test prior to starting the parasite preventative program.

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is becoming much more common in southern Ontario. This disease is transmitted by ticks and can affect dogs, cats and people along with many other animals. If your dog goes for walks in an area where ticks occur, vaccination is recommended. After the initial vaccine, a booster vaccine may be required 3 weeks later, then once yearly. 

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that can infects dogs and be transmitted to people (i.e. zoonotic disease). All dogs are at risk, although some are at lower risk than others. It is transmitted to our pets by contact with contaminated urine from affected livestock, wildlife, and other dogs.  The bacteria attack the kidneys, liver and nervous system. Lepto can kill both affected dogs and humans, and vaccination is recommended.

A Note About Parvo virus

Parvo virus is a serious disease causing vomiting and diarrhea, that affects primarily young dogs (6 weeks to 6 months of age) although any age can be affected.  The highest risk breeds include the Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Pit Bull.  It is a hardy virus that is contracted through exposure to infected dogs or infected stools. It usually requires intensive supportive care when contracted, and is part of the core vaccine program for dogs.